01-15-2023, 04:43 PM
I dont think there is any reason to believe the Vikings will make him a priority signing or that he will not get a good, prove it deal some where else...
Earlier this season, Irv Smith Jr. was the top tight end on the Vikings. Now, he’s the No. 2 guy.But Smith has no problem with that. He was happy to return for last Sunday’s regular-season finale at Chicago after missing nine games with a high ankle sprain suffered Oct. 30 against Arizona. Two days after that, Minnesota acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from Detroit, and he made the Pro Bowl.
On Sunday, Hockenson figures to be the primary target at tight end when the Vikings face the New York Giants in the playoff opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“We kind of mix in different things, and T.J.’s done an amazing job coming in and making plays,” Smith said Friday. “As a tight end, us coming in together in the (2019 draft) class, we knew each other well, and got to learn from each other. It’s only going to make each other better and push each other to be the best.”
Smith has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons. He missed all of 2021 due to a knee injury and all of the 2022 preseason with a thumb issue. And then came his latest setback.
“It’s been crazy battling injuries, but it’s part of the game,” Smith said. “You kind of learn a lot in terms of yourself and the mental aspect. … I’m just blessed to be in this opportunity and be able to come back in the playoffs and make an impact.”
Smith said he’s now fully healthy. To help prepare for the playoffs, he said it was good getting back and playing in the 29-13 win over the Bears, a game in which he caught three passes for 14 yards.
“It was very beneficial being out for nine weeks and then getting my feet out there, making some plays in the run game and the pass game,” Smith said. “It was good definitely getting out there and getting a feel with T.J. and (tight end) Johnny (Mundt), and just getting back out there with (quarterback) Kirk (Cousins). … It’s awesome being back in the offense."
https://www.twincities.com/2023/01/13/vikings-te-irv-smith-feels-good-in-return-from-ankle-injury-adjusts-to-working-with-t-j-hockenson/
Earlier this season, Irv Smith Jr. was the top tight end on the Vikings. Now, he’s the No. 2 guy.But Smith has no problem with that. He was happy to return for last Sunday’s regular-season finale at Chicago after missing nine games with a high ankle sprain suffered Oct. 30 against Arizona. Two days after that, Minnesota acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from Detroit, and he made the Pro Bowl.
On Sunday, Hockenson figures to be the primary target at tight end when the Vikings face the New York Giants in the playoff opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“We kind of mix in different things, and T.J.’s done an amazing job coming in and making plays,” Smith said Friday. “As a tight end, us coming in together in the (2019 draft) class, we knew each other well, and got to learn from each other. It’s only going to make each other better and push each other to be the best.”
Smith has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons. He missed all of 2021 due to a knee injury and all of the 2022 preseason with a thumb issue. And then came his latest setback.
“It’s been crazy battling injuries, but it’s part of the game,” Smith said. “You kind of learn a lot in terms of yourself and the mental aspect. … I’m just blessed to be in this opportunity and be able to come back in the playoffs and make an impact.”
Smith said he’s now fully healthy. To help prepare for the playoffs, he said it was good getting back and playing in the 29-13 win over the Bears, a game in which he caught three passes for 14 yards.
“It was very beneficial being out for nine weeks and then getting my feet out there, making some plays in the run game and the pass game,” Smith said. “It was good definitely getting out there and getting a feel with T.J. and (tight end) Johnny (Mundt), and just getting back out there with (quarterback) Kirk (Cousins). … It’s awesome being back in the offense."
https://www.twincities.com/2023/01/13/vikings-te-irv-smith-feels-good-in-return-from-ankle-injury-adjusts-to-working-with-t-j-hockenson/
